Capreolus Damson Eau de Vie Gin
Capreolus · Capreolus Distillery
Barney Wilczak's one-man distillery applies the logic of eau de vie — capture fruit in its purest form — to gin production. The result is a gin with unusual depth and texture, where the base spirit is a feature, not an afterthought. Distinctive without being eccentric.
Nose
Juniper leads cleanly, with a piney, resinous character that is quickly joined by orris root and a delicate floral rose note. Fresh coriander seed provides a citrusy-spice counterpoint, while violet and a whisper of angelica add depth.
Palate
Full and textured for a gin, with waxy juniper and lavender unfolding alongside a subtle almond sweetness. The damson plum eau de vie base gives a distinctive fruity underpinning that enriches the botanical profile without sweetening it. Peppery warmth and lemon zest emerge midpalate.
Finish
Long and clean, with lingering juniper, orris root, and a gentle violet fade. The fruit character of the base spirit appears as a ghost note at the very end.
- Style
- Distilled Dry Gin
- Botanicals
- Juniper, coriander seed, orris root, angelica root, violet, lemon peel, lavender, rose petal
- Base Spirit
- Damson plum eau de vie
- Distillation
- Single-shot distillation on a 100-liter Holstein copper still
Cocktail Suggestion
Cotswold Vesper — 2 oz Capreolus Damson Eau de Vie Gin · 0.5 oz dry vermouth · 0.25 oz Lillet Blanc · Stir with ice, strain into a chilled Nick & Nora, express lemon peel.
Food Pairing
The gin's floral and herbal complexity partners beautifully with tangy goat cheese, while lavender honey bridges the botanical profile and the slight fruitiness of the damson base spirit.
Barney Wilczak runs Capreolus Distillery alone from a small workshop in the Cotswolds, using a tiny 100-liter Holstein still to produce gins with bases of fruit eau de vie rather than neutral grain spirit.
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